The Oregon Legislature is currently deliberating on House Bill 4024, a proposal aimed at implementing campaign finance contribution limits. This comes as the state’s “30 Years War” over campaign finance reform nears its final battle. The push for reform has gained momentum due to strong public support, with a 2023 poll by the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center revealing that 75% of Oregonians believe that laws should be passed to regulate unlimited money in political campaigns.
Campaign finance reform has been a long-standing issue in Oregon, with reformers utilizing the initiative process to keep the issue in the public eye for the past three decades. However, recent developments have given reformers a significant advantage. In 2020, voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing campaign funding and spending limits, and the Oregon Supreme Court reversed its previous decision on campaign finance measures. These victories have paved the way for Initiative Petition 9, which is currently being prepared for the general election ballot.
Initiative Petition 9 aims to limit contributions to candidates and political committees, restrict the carry forward of unspent campaign funds, and require political advertisements to disclose their top four funders, among other provisions. The initiative represents a determined effort by reformers to address the influence of big money in politics and has garnered significant support from the public.
In a unique turn of events, the Oregon Legislature is now actively engaging with the issue and attempting to pass its own legislation, House Bill 4024-3, to gain an advantage on campaign finance reform. Lawmakers and major donors are hoping to avoid a direct confrontation with Initiative Petition 9 by enacting their own proposal, thereby convincing voters that the issue has been adequately addressed.
While the merits of House Bill 4024-3 versus Initiative Petition 9 are still being debated, it is important for voters to consider any alternative proposal from the Legislature on equal footing with the initiative. The current momentum for campaign finance reform is a result of the efforts of the backers of Initiative Petition 9, who have persistently fought against institutional resistance for the past three decades.
The final battle over campaign finance reform in Oregon is expected to be a significant moment in the state’s political landscape. The outcome will determine the future of campaign funding and spending limits, and whether the influence of big money in politics will be curbed.
